Skid-chain fastener



C. M. WHITEHEAD. SKID CHAIN FASTENER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8, |920.

1,373,281. PatentedMar.29,1921.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Papegaai-.Qd f5/[g1g 299 QL Applicationfiled March 8, 1920. Serial Nol 364,07?.

To al? whom t may concern Be it known that l, Crmnnns M. `Wrrrrn HEAD, acitizen of the United States, residing at Spokane, in the county ofSpokane and State of lashington, have invented certain new and usefulAimprovements in Skidhain Fasteners, of which the following is aspecification.

rlhe invention relates to a link chain fas` tener, and more particularlyto the class of anti-skid chain coupling links or fasteners.

rlhe primary object of the invention ris the provision of a fastener ofthis character, wherein the terminal links of an anti-skid chain can beconveniently and easily fastened together for the securing of the skidchain about the tire on an automobile wheel, thefastener being' of novelform, so that on opening the coupling members to'one end thereof for theengagement of one terminal link therein the other members at the otherend of the fastener will not be disturbed, thereby enabling the quickand easy engagement of the fastener to both ends of the skid chain, forthe securing of Vsaid chain upon the tire for use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fastener of thischaracter wherein the terminal link engaging members are vassembled in aunique manner so that said members can be independently operated for theopening of the ends of the fastenerto permit the introduction of theterminal links of an anti-skid chain therein or the removal.

of said terminalV` links, for eXpediting the' fastening of the anti-skidchain upon a tire when carried by a wheel or the removal of said chainfrom the tire.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a fastener of thischaracter wherein the link engaging members, when closed with theterminal links of an anti, skid chain engaged therein, will be prevent-ned from the accidental. opening of the mem bers and thereby freeing theterminal links, thus assuring a positive and safe fastener for the endsof the anti-skid chain.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a fastenerV ofthis character,

which is extremely simple in construction,

readily and easily operated, strong, durable,

capable of being applied for the fastening of the ends of a skid chainwith dispatch and likewise assuring the quick and easy reinoval of thefastener and the detachment of the ends of theskid 4chain when theoccasion i requires, and inexpensive of manufacture.

l With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as willbe hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand pointed out in the claims hereto appended. f

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l, is a fragmentary side elevation .pling members thereof openedfor the insertion of the terminal link of a skid chain, the other pairof said coupling members being closed. Y

` Fig. 3, is a view similar to Fig. 2, sho-wing theterminal link of theVskid chain in posit-ion engaged in one of the pairs of coupling membersand the other coupling member about to be closed, the other pair ofcoupling members ybeing closed and another terminal link engagedtherein.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A designatesgenerally a portion ofan automobile wheel, carrying thereon the usual shoe or case B ofapneumatic tire, which may be of any ordinary well-known construction.while in a-position upon said shoe or case B is an anti-skid chain C ofany approved type, only' the end portions'of said ed to be detachablyengaged with the terminal links 5 of these end portions'of said skidchain C atV each side of the shoe or casing is the fastener D, thedetails of which will. be hereinafter fullydescribed.

The fastener D comprises opposite pairs of coupling members 6 and 7respectively,

chain being shown in Fig. l of the drawing. And adapti5 and 7 beingreversed relative to each other A so that when the members are broughttogether the open sides by reason oi the particular formation andassemblageV of said heads will be caused to positively retain the-terminal links 5 of the ehainends C in the fastener D. @n the spreadingapart of the `Coupling members 6 and 'T the open sides oi' the heads 9will permit the'iree introduction oi a ter mal link through said openside or each member into the same and when the members are broughttogether the open sides thereof are closed, thereby holding the terminallink 5 engaged in the heads 9, when brought together.

Each side opening l2 in the head 9 forms an entrance thereto for theinsertion of the terminal link within the head to be engaged thereby andon bringing together of the pair ot opposed members 6 and 7, the saidlink will be prevented from disengagement as the open sides l2 will beclosed` dueto fthe reversed position of said heads 9 which, when droughttogether the solid side of one closes the open side of the other as willbe obvious.

The Shanks S, of the membersi' and 7, are rounded as at 13 at their endsand also out away at i4 adjacent to the heads 9 so that no interferencewill be had in the spreading :mart er bringing together of the headswhen the fastener is manipulated for the application thereof to theterminal links 5 `ot the chain (l or the removalof the fastener therefrom. The out away portions 14e permit the bringing;` together oi theheads 9 one upon the other when the terminal links are engaged in theheads 9 of said members, itV

being evident that the pivot T (allows the pairs of `members 6 and 'Z'to swing relative to eaeh other when'brought together and thusai'iording the lexing action which may `be necessary in the fastening ofthe skid chain upon the shoe and overcoming un- Y pateh.`

of jaws 9 can be spread apart or brought together without disturbing theother pair oi' jaws, which renders the ufastener convenient *forengagement with `the terminal link or vits disengagement therefrom withdes j ln the-.use of the 'astenerrD ywhen it is desired to engage thesame with the terminal link 5 the jaws 9 oi' one pair are spread apartand the terminal link is inserted through the open side of one aw. andthereafter turned on itself to assume a position at right angles to theplane of the jaw 9 initially reoeiving,` the same and in this positionthe other j w of said pair can be closed or brought 1n superimposedposition upon the jaw initially receiving the link and in this mannerthe link will become engagedV in theelosed jaws Without anypossibilityof the `accidental de` taehinent until said jaws are againrspreadl i l napart and the link properly manipulated rer its removal from the jaws.rl`here is i o possibility of the links becoming separated` from thefastener whengthe pairs `oi jaws are brought together and the said linksengaged therein.

Fromthe 'foregoing it is thought that the construction and the manner ofuse of the fastener D with the members 6 and -7v eonstruetee, arrangedand operated in the manner hereinbeiiore set forth will be Clearlyobfions'and therefore more extended explanation has been omitted. i i 'Iclaimt' i l. n fastener of the I character described comprising opposedpairs of swingingly conneeted independently movable members, each pairbeing in the form of reversely disposed substantially Q-shaped jaws, sothat on the bringing together of the pair, thesame will4 be elosed forretaining the link of a chain engaged therein. i l

2. l'n a Jfastener or the character deseribed, oppositely disposed pairsof swingingly conneoted link engaging members,V the members ot' eachpair having side openings in opposite sides thereof and lClosed by therespective members of said pair on the bringing together of the same.vthe members being independently movable relative `to one another,whereby a pair ot said members ean` be spread apart without disturingthe other pair ot said members.

ln testimony whereof, l atiX my signature hereto. Y Y

CHARLES M.V WHTEHEAD.`

